Video: Tethering with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Let's start by taking a look at one of the most popular applications out there, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. And what you'll find is that several cameras are supported by Lightroom but it's a pretty streamlined tether workflow. One of the things I'd like to point out, if you just do a simple web search in Lightroom Help, you can find a list of supported cameras. This list is constantly updated and you'll see that it's actually sorted by which version of Lightroom. Newer versions of Lightroom will support newer cameras.

Connecting a computer to your DSLR camera opens up a brand-new world of opportunities in image making. You can gain greater control over your in-camera adjustments and get a more accurate picture of your lighting and setup. In this course, Rich Harrington introduces the tethered shooting workflow and shows how to connect your camera to a computer, an external monitor, and even an iPad or mobile device. He'll review the shooting environment, building the tethered station, software solutions for tethering, and wireless shooting with a CamRanger or GoPro camera. These techniques work well both in the studio and in the field, so you'll be prepared for all tethered shooting scenarios.

This course was created and produced by Rich Harrington. We are honored to host this content in our library.

Tethering with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Let's start by taking a look at one ofthe most popular applications out there, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.And what you'll find is that several cameras aresupported by Lightroom but it's a pretty streamlined tether workflow.One of the things I'd like to point out, if you just do asimple web search in Lightroom Help, you can find a list of supported cameras.This list is constantly updated and you'll see that it's actually sorted bywhich version of Lightroom.Newer versions of Lightroom will support newer cameras.

And as you look here, you'll see theminimum version required in order to add that support.For example, the 5D, Mark III, which is a newer camera, requires Lightroom 4.2.While the Mark II will work with version three.So, just make sure that the version of your camera and versionof your software lines up, so you get the results you expect.Once you're in Lightroom it's pretty easy.Just choose File > Tethered Capture > Start Tethered Capture.This allows you to name this. So let's get this a new session here.

And then notice that I could actually segment photos by shots.If I want to start a new shot for each product.I could assign a number, as well as a naming template.You'll notice here, several different names.So, for example, I could have the name ofthe session followed by a sequence number, or filename.And you see that there's lots of options here as you work,so I can go with a four digit number if I want, on import.Or perhaps I could say, insert the actualfile name after the number from the session.

I could have it tag it with the date. With month, date, year.Or year, month, date for that matter. And that gives me a very unique file name.All right, that's looking good. Let's save that as a template,and click Create.When I choose done, it's now ready to begin.Now I already have some numbered items here.But I'll start over with one, since I adjusted the naming template.Next, I choose where I want this stored.So I can click the Choose button and navigate to a drive.

In this case, I'm going to use this external drive and make a new folder,and choose it.You'll notice that you can actually assign metadata templates as well.So if you want to assign some basic information, you could do that.For example, I can come down here to the Copyright field and enter my information.As well as my website.And know that you can load inextra information as you're working, taking any ofthe fields that you see fit tohave that information automatically added to the images.Alright, that looks good. Let's name that.

And I'll click OK.Once you've gone through and set up the sessionwith all the metadata details, you're ready to start shooting.Remember we've already walked you through the processof properly connecting the camera to the computer.Make sure that the camera is connected and powered onbefore you launch Lightroom to ensure that the connection is successful.Now that it's connected, I can see the camera here.In fact, if you have multiple camerasconnected, you can even switch between them.It's got the nameof the session and the first shot.I can give that a different name if I want.For example, we can call this Autumn Arrangement.

And I see all of my settings for the camera.Lightroom doesn't actually let you change the settings on the camera.You have to walk over and do that.Other tethering apps will give you this control, but of courseif you're a Lightroom user, you have to buy those other tools.So let's just make a small adjustment on the camera.There we go.And you'll note that everything updated over here.I'm going to change the shutter speed.There's my test shot. Now we're close.Looks like my shutter speed is off just a little bit.We're getting a sync line on the flash, so let's drop down to 200.There we go.

And that's good.So at this point I've got my controls and whenI'm ready I can just click the button to fire.Any adjustments I want to make can happen to the lights.Here we go.And let's just slightly recompose the camera.And everything's there.I could continue to fire here from thecomputer and trigger the results that I need.Remember, while working you can assign presets.I definitely like how that's looking for that stylebut let's go with the more commercial friendly setting.And we'll just put a little bit of punch in there.And the new preset is applied.Remember, the true flexibility here is the ability toimmediately start working with the images, and checking details.

So, with this picture selected, I could zoom to check 100% focus.Looks like everything's very sharp, that's working well.Let's put a little more clarity in, with a little bit of toning.And I'm going to pop the colors a little bit more with vibrance.I like that.I can zoom out to see multiple images or go back inand start to work, and definitely get an idea of what's happening.Let's go ahead and switch from a portrait to a vertical orientation.There we go. Take the camera back just a little.

Alright.Let's do a little bit of work with that image real quick.I'll double click to open it.Switch over to the Develop module for a second.And you see we can actually manipulate that image in real time.Alright.I've got a little bit on the right edge to clean up, but that's looking pretty good.Now, one of the main benefits of being able to tweak asyou're working is that you could see what is and isn't working.Through the view finder, it seemed about right,but we're in a tough situation here becausesee, normally when I shoot my pictures, Idon't have all these extra video lights around.And right now there's other lights. There's some hanging here and there.

And it's just creating some light pollution on set.So I needed to make some tweaks to myphotography lighting as well as the videolighting so it wasn't affecting my photo shoot.And that's what's nice.As I go through here and I could review some of the progression.I could see how tweaks in the physical light environment modify things.So at this point, I'm feeling that the lighting's pretty good.Let's fire off another test shotThat's looking good.I've got my product shot, lots of room onthe side, so this is going to work out really well.And I really have a good shot that's going to be ready for a website.

I wanted a nice, clean white backdrop, I've got that.Product's clearly in focus.If I'm ever doubting that, I could just zoom right here on the image.Cmd+plus, let that load in, and I can absolutelysee what it is that I have, and that's great.I've got a nice depth of fieldwith the entire product in focus, and I can really see what looks good.That's going to work really well for the client's website.

Learn by watching, listening, and doing, Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along Premium memberships include access to all exercise files in the library.

Already a member ?

Learn by watching, listening, and doing! Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along. Exercise files are available with all Premium memberships.
Learn more

Upgrade to our Annual Premium Membership today and get even more value from your lynda.com subscription:

“In a way, I feel like you are rooting for me. Like you are really invested in my experience, and want me to get as much out of these courses as possible this is the best place to start on your journey to learning new material.”— Nadine H.

Thanks for signing up.

We’ll send you a confirmation email shortly.

Sign up and receive emails about lynda.com and our online training library:

new course releases

newsletter

general communications

special notices

Here’s our privacy policy with more details about how we handle your information.

Keep up with news, tips, and latest courses with emails from lynda.com.

Sign up and receive emails about lynda.com and our online training library:

new course releases

newsletter

general communications

special notices

Here’s our privacy policy with more details about how we handle your information.